MCMULLEN COUNTY – Seventh grader Colton McCartney of Tilden recently won the title of Grand Champion Red Angus Market Steer at the Houston Livestock Show with his Heavy Weight steer.

Colton participated in the Grand Champion Steer Drive during the Houston Rodeo performance on Friday, March 21, as one of 16 Breed Winners. He, his steer named “Koop,” and Mr. Joe Taylor walked onto the rodeo arena floor in Reliant Stadium in front of 70,000 rodeo fans.

The following day at the auction, his steer sold for $50,000. This is a huge accomplishment considering the fact that his steer was one of the top 16 steers out of 1,670 that were exhibited at the show.

“Words cannot express the pure joy that the entire McCartney family is feeling,” said Tilden FFA Advisor Jim Harris. “Their kids have been showing steers for seven years, and they have done it the old-fashioned way with blood, sweat, and tears. Colton and his older sister Michelle, a freshman in college now, were out there in the steer pen every day that they were home doing whatever needed to be done. How gratifying to see a youngster that does it the right way gain such success and notoriety. Our whole school is really proud of what he has achieved.”

Colton is the son of Shane and Becca McCartney of Tilden and the grandson of Jim and Ruth Marsh of Coughran.